Sakura knew better than to venture out alone at night, but her mother was feeling rather ill so she accepted the shopping duties. She stepped along the pavement and stayed underneath the streetlights. In her hands, she held the list of neccessities and her mother's wallet.

The doors of the grocery store opened automatically and the girl filed through with some other late-night shoppers. She pushed the cart along and dropped a milk carton inside. Before she could react, another cart collided with her and startled the girl.

"I'm really sorry about that!" The shopper responded.

She looked up and felt an immense amount of blood rush to her cheeks. The young man was absolutely gorgeous! She couldn't pull her eyes away from him and laughed nervously as he picked up some of the contents of his cart that spilled on the floor.

"I've never seen you around here before," She stated, playing with a pink strand of hair.

The young man turned to her and smiled. "Yes, I actually moved here a couple days ago. I'm still settling in - I moved here from Kiri. My name is Utakata." His pale, golden eyes shined confidently as he extended his hand.

"I'm Sakura Haruno. I live here... Well, I bet that's obvious since I just said I haven't seen you around here." She was babbling, but his eyes shined with a strange interest in the pinkette. Before she could spout on about more nonsense, she grabbed his hand and shook it happily. "It's nice to meet you!"

He smiled softly and grasped the handle of his cart. "Yes, it's very nice to meet you too. It's getting late, but I hope to see you again." The wheels of his cart squeaked away as he turned the corner into the next aisle.

After she lost sight of the handsome man, she released her breath and collapsed over her cart. Although her breath was stabilizing, she couldn't stop the strong pounding in her chest. She had never met a man so gorgeous before! He looked like the lead in a romance movie or a model for a male-fashion magazine.

"Utakata... I really hope I see you again!" She thought dreamily.

...

Itachi stood patiently as Sakura hurried through her morning ritual. He could hear her heavy footsteps beyond the door and a short 'bye' to her mother. The knob turned and the pink-haired freshman rushed to Itachi's side.

"I'm sorry it took me so long," She apologized.

Itachi smiled. "It's okay. Are you getting ready for your exams?"

She nodded and walked along their usual route. "Yeah, I'm sure that I'll pass. What about you?" Why'd she ask that? Of course he would be ready.

"Oh, if it isn't the late-night shopper! Hello, Sakura-chan." The voice rang out behind them - surprising Itachi.

Sakura's cheeks reddened and she turned swiftly on her heels. "Utakata! I'm surprised you remember me."

Utakata smiled and hitched his backpack over his shoulder. "I could say the same to you. Are you headed to school?" It seemed as though he hadn't even acknowledged Itachi's presence.

She nodded as her eyes drifted off to his clothing. Konoha High School's uniform? He's a student?! "Utakata-kun! I didn't know you were enrolling here!"

Utakata ran his fingers through his brown, neck-length hair. "Well, we did only speak for a minimal amount of time. How about I walk with you?" After he had spoken, he had finally noticed the Uchiha standing silently. "Oh? Who is this?"

"I'm Itachi Uchiha. It's a pleasure to meet you, Utakata-san." Hopefully, this guy was too stupid to notice Itachi's jaw tighten and his polite words run through clenched teeth.

Utakata firmly grasped Itachi's hand and shook it happily. "It's nice to meet you. Sakura-chan has such an attractive boyfriend!"

Sakura and Itachi exchanged embarrassed looks and turned back to the young man. "We're not dating!" They said in unison.

Utakata sighed in relief and hitched one of his arms through Sakura's. "That's good! I was nervous for a moment. Can I walk with you two?"

Itachi wanted to protest, but Sakura's immediate approval shut him up. "Of course you can!" Sakura answered.

This was unsettling.

...

The walk to school was compiled of Utakata's past school and home in Kiri. Itachi would occasionally add his own thoughts, but the conversation was obviously between Sakura and Utakata.

After they arrived, Sakura stored her shoes in her appropriate cubby. She had pushed through Itachi and assisted Utakata in a tour around the school - ignoring Sasori's and Deidara's greetings as she walked by.

"Who is that?" Deidara asked, a frown plastered onto his face.

Itachi rolled his eyes and pushed his shoes into his cubby hole violently. "His name is Utakata. He's a senior that transferred from Kiri." He watched Sakura stroll up the stairs with a radiant, flirtatious smile. "Sakura-chan has a crush on him."

Sasori raised an eyebrow. "You're joking. When did he transfer?"

"Today," Itachi answered.

"Then how can she like him already?!" Deidara objected.

Itachi only slumped his shoulders and walked to his classroom. "For once, I have no explanation."

Sasori and Deidara exchanged incredulous looks. "If she is attracted to this Utakata guy then shouldn't she be head-over-heels in love with us? Since we know her longer, yeah?" Deidara asked.

"I'm sure it's pretty innocent. Besides, we won't have to deal with him - he was wearing a senior uniform. Itachi-san and the others are sure to give us some explanation." Although Sasori seemed optimistic, he couldn't shake the ill feeling in his stomach.

Sakura? Their  Sakura liking another guy? How could that happen?!

...

Utakata stood at the front of the class with a smile on his face. Shiho adjusted her glasses and motioned to her new student.

"This is your new classmate, Utakata. Can you tell us a little about yourself?" She couldn't resist the urge to scoot closer to the handsome student.

Utakata raised his hand and waved. "Hey there! I transferred from a private school in Kiri. Right now, I live with my uncle, but I'm looking for my own place."

A whirlwind of whispers broke through the class.

"He's from a private school? He must be really rich or really smart!"

"Yeah and not to mention he's looking for his own place!"

"He looks like a college student - so mature!"

The girls squealed in delight at the thoughts of their new classmate. Hidan rolled his eyes and turned to Kisame with an exasperated expression on his face.

"Is this guy for real?" Hidan muttered.

Kisame frowned and turned to his female classmates. "Apparently what Itachi had said was true. Its only first period and he's already popular."

"Yeah, but that doesn't mean Cherry-chan likes him, right? Just... look at him! He's such a loser." Hidan frowned as a few girls requested Utakata to sit next to them.

Kisame sighed and removed his phone from his pocket to text Itachi. "Well, atleast we can keep an eye on him. I'll tell Itachi that he's in our class." He finished the text and jammed his phone back in his pocket. "This could ruin anyone's chances of dating Sakura... My chances..."

...

Sakura grabbed her bento and walked the hallway to the meeting room. On her way, a crowd of girls caught her attention - they were encircling Utakata.

The senior heartthrob raised his hands in the air. "Girls! Girls! Please, I'll answer all your questions later. Right now, I have to eat lunch, so-"

"Uta-kun! Eat lunch with me!" One of the girls crowed.

Protests erupted and many girls angrily shouted their rights as Utakata's lunchmate. The loud bickering overwhelmed the boy, resorting Utakata to sneak away before they could notice. On his way out of the crowd of schoolgirls, a glimpse of pink hair caught his attention.

"Sakura-chan!" He greeted, running up to her.

Sakura smiled brightly as he hugged her. "Were those girls too much?" She joked.

"Yeah, they were. I thought I was going to be ripped apart if I didn't leave. Where are you headed?" He flashed a dazzling smile - melting Sakura's core.

"I was going to my usual spot. Would you like to come with me?" She turned her attention to the mob of girls finally noticing Utakata's absence. "Before your fanclub goes on a rampage?"

"i'd love to. Lead the way, Sakura-chan." He hitched his arm over her shoulders - causing Sakura to blush.

Itachi watched as the door opened and immediately stood up as Utakata entered the room with Sakura.

"Only club members are allowed, Sakura-chan. You know that," He stated in a matter-of-fact tone.

Utakata searched the room. "Club?" He turned to Sakura. "What club are you attending, Sakura-chan?"

"The Student Council. They needed a female member and asked me to join at the beginning of the year."

Utakata nodded, impressed. "That's remarkable. I was actually the president of my school's Student Council. Are you the president, Uchiha-san?"

"Yes, I am, but my statement stands - only members of the Student Council are permitted to enter. Unless you have some complaint or need of assistance, of course."

Sakura frowned at Itachi. "We've had others visit us. Besides, it's lunchtime!"

"It's okay, Sakura. I'll go eat in the classroom." Utakata reasoned.

The pinkette grabbed his hand. "Then I'll come with you!"

"Sakura-chan? You don't want to eat with us?" Kisame asked, surprised by her response.

Sakura turned to the group. "He's new to this school and one of my friends. I'm sure you wouldn't mind if I joined him for lunch for one day." She left the room, following Utakata to his classroom.

"I can't fucking believe this!" Hidan shouted, running his hands through his hair.

Kakuzu turned to Itachi. "She's infatuated with this bastard."

"How do we stop this?" Sasori questioned, peering down at his bento.

Itachi sighed and turned his back to his fellow club members. "I'm sure that once he's settled in, the school will relax."

Kisame agreed. "Yeah, you all know how it is when a new kid transfers. He'll lose all this attention in no time!"

"Especially from Cherry-chan! By tomorrow, he'll be old news!" Hidan exclaimed, his newfound optimism rising steadily.

...

(Three days later)

"Sakura-chan, you haven't joined us for lunch since Monday! Why don't you sit with us today?" Deidara suggested to the pinkette.

Sakura shifted nervously in the hallway, holding her bento. "Uta-kun asked me to sit with him today... but tomorrow I can sit with you guys - I promise!"

"Uta-kun? You gave him a nickname?" Sasori asked, his eyebrows raised in surprise.

"I'm sorry, but I really have to go. I'll see you guys after school today, okay?" She left before the two second-years could protest.

Sakura hurried to Utakata's classroom and sat next to the senior. "Have you joined the Swimming Club yet?"

Utakata opened his bento's case and took a bite. "Yeah and guess what? When they watched my first lap, they gave me a spot on the team! As co-captain!" Utakata announced, proudly.

"That's great," Sakura beamed.

Utakata looked to his lunch and back to Sakura. "Sakura-chan... Would you like to hang out after school today? I start club activities next week, so I think it will be perfect if we have some time tonight."

Sakura bit her lip. "I really can't do that... I have a meeting tonight with the Student Council-"

"Com'on... It's only one night. I'm sure they'll be okay with it," Utakata pressed.

"You're right. I'll tell them that something came up."

...

(After School)

"Well, what's going on then?" Itachi asked Sakura.

"It's just something that I need to do - private matters, you know?"

Hidan stepped forward. "Ah, let her go! We're not doing anything anyway."

"Yeah, how about a day off? Exams are just around the corner!" Deidara joined, pulling out the stacks of vocabulary and quiz sheets he needed to study.

Itachi gave in and zipped up his bag. "Fine. It won't hurt to have a few days off from club activities..."

Sakura bowed respectfully. "Thank you, senpai!" She hurriedly made her way out of the room and to her shoe cubby at the entrance.

"She acts like she doesn't even want to participate with the club anymore." Kisame grumbled.

Itachi turned to his friend and silently agreed. For some time, he had noticed a change in Sakura's attitude and the thought was appearing more often than what he was hoping. The thought that she could be tired or annoyed with him or the other Student Council members. The thought that she didn't want to be a member...

It scared him.

...

Sakura maneuvered through the crowds of people on the busy street. Utakata lead the way to his home and the two stopped at his doorway. In her mind, she wondered what they would be doing for the rest of the day.

"Let me grab a few things and then we can hang out wherever you want." He explained, running inside.

Wherever she wants? That was surprising, but considering he was new to Konoha, he wouldn't have much of an idea to choose a place anyway. Perhaps the park? Or Ichiraku, but if Ayame was there then Sakura would be running for the hills. Her house was obviously not an option. If her father was alerted to another boy showing up at his house, Sakura was sure he'd have a heart attack. - after he screamed and hollered, of course

Utakata returned with a light jacket and his phone. "Have you decided where you want to go?"

"Yeah, let's go to the park. We can hang out and just talk." She was surprised when the brunette held onto her hand. "Utakata-kun?"

"Let's have a great time!" Utakata smiled.

Why was her stomach twisting in knots everytime she saw him smile?

The two walked to the park, talking about everyday things. After finishing a conversation, Utakata guided her to the swings and motioned her to sit while he pushed her.

"I thought for sure that I wouldn't fit in here," Utakata admitted.

Sakura twisted around to look at the senior. "What? You're one of the most popular guys in school and you just transferred here a few days ago. I think that says something."

Utakata laughed. "I wouldn't say that..."

"Girls are swooning over you from the start of school until the end. Don't try to be modest," Sakura teased.

The senior smiled softly and halted the swing to a stop. "Sakura-chan... You've been nothing, but kind to me since I've arrived."

"Well, you were just as nice to me. I knew we were going to be friends when our carts collided." Utakata being extremely handsome was just a perk.

He twisted the chains of the swing, forcing Sakura to face him. "I can't help myself... Will you go out with me, Sakura-chan?"

xxx

Dun dun dun, Vomment. <3

xTsu